Pictograph of a bear. Based on the original meaning "bear". The meaning of this character has shifted over time to mean "strong" and "ability, power". Original form of 熊.
Shuowen Jiezi
《說文》：“能，熊屬，足似鹿。从肉，聲。能獸堅中，故稱賢能，而彊壯稱能傑也。”
Original meaning
bear
Components
◎(iconic) — Depicts the body of the bear.
◎(iconic) — Depicts the head of the bear.
◎(iconic) — Depicts the four legs and tail of the bear.